Top Ten Speed Metal Bands

ninjacobra

The Top TenXW

1MotörheadMotörhead were an English heavy metal band formed in June 1975 by bassist, singer, and songwriter Ian Fraser "Lemmy" Kilmister, who was the sole constant member; guitarist and songwriter Larry Wallis; and drummer Lucas Fox. The band's harsh vocals and fast paced tempos helped inspire speed metal and ...read more.

People are stupid, Metallica and megadeth aren't speed metal.. they are better than motörhead I think, but they're not speed metal, they're thrash metal.. - freezerman75

Overall, Motörhead are probably not metal. Motörhead maybe influenced thrash but not speed metal. Judas Priest and Iron Maiden have never been labeled as speed metal but I think they influenced speed metal at most. - Metal_Treasure

I have always loved Motorhead and I always will... I love Megadeth and Metallica but they are not even close to being speed metal. They are thrash metal so they should not be on this list...

Megadeth is thrash metal and heavy metal they are not speed metal and Avenged Sevenfold is just heavy metal you people have confused all the genres yeah I know Megadeth and Metallica are better than Motörhead but as speed metal is concerned motorhead is way better come on they are a better speed metal band

Why are Dragonforce number one. Not even within top 10 for power metal.

2DragonForceDragonForce are a British power metal band based in London, England. Formed in 1999, the group are known for their long and fast guitar solos, fantasy-themed lyrics, and electronic sounds in their music to add to their retro video game-influenced sound.

NO OTHER BAND IN THE WORLD WILL EVER BE ABLE TO BEAT DRAGONFORCE IN THEIR SPEED. PLUS DRAGONFORCE HAS A SUPERB COMBINATION OF ALL THE INSTRUMENT AT UNBELIEVABLE SPEEDS.ALL THE SIX MEMBERS ARE SIMPLY THE BEST IN THEIR OWN.

No doubt about it! DragonForce is THE BEST! Fury of the storm, Through the fire and flames, Fields of despair, Storming the burning fields, Ones in a life time, if someone can that these song can be beaten I will no longer be a fan of them. But for now, DRAGONFORCE is the bets band ever!

Okay Metallica is the best Thrash metal band (first four albums} and best hard rock/ heavy metal band but Dragonforce should be able to steal the number one position in their sleep

3MegadethMegadeth is an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. The group was formed in 1983 by guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson, shortly after Mustaine's dismissal from Metallica.

Listen to Holy wars. The riff has not only speed but it is one of the greatest in the history of speed metal. Sure there are bands who can play faster but nothing beats Holy wars! Even the solo at the end will make your house tremble! Listen to it at full volume

Neither Metallica nor Megadeth are speed metal. Speed metal is basically a version of power metal. Unlike thrash, speed metal does not have hardcore punk elements - as a result, speed metal is more melodic and less abrasive than thrash. - Metal_Treasure

Metallica is only good because of Dave and Cliff. Once they kicked out Dave and Cliff died Metallica was destine to fail. Which they proved on The black album. Dave should have took Cliff with him. Metallics sold out, or as they say "we sell out."

4HelloweenHelloween is a German power metal band founded in 1984 in Hamburg, Northern Germany. The band is a pioneering force in the power metal genre, and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I and Part II, are considered masterpieces of the genre.

Helloween it isn't speed metal now... But they played speed metal! It is such albums that Helloween(EP) and the greatest WALLS OF JERICHO!

What? Helloween the masters of speed metal in 6th, just listen to Helloween EP.

Helloween is for me one of the best Power, Heavy and speed Metal band of all the time!

5Blind GuardianBlind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in the mid-1980s in West Germany. They are often credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres. Heavily influenced by Queen, they use the technique of overdubbing. They also incorporate large ...read more.

Much more power metal than speed today, Guardian's two or three first albums sure had that speed metal sound to them. Try "Banish from Sanctuary", "Damned for all time" or "Fast to Madness".

They don't write speed metal anymore but they're are so good that can still play some of those fast early songs live - live versions of Banish from Sanctuary. Majesty and Valhalla are awesome. - Metal_Treasure

Follow the Blind is definitely one of my favorite speed metal albums of all time!

Their music style is so unique, epic and totally awesome- favourite band! 1

Their first 3 albums are speed metal albums so I'll vote for them. Blind Guardian is my favorite band.

6SlayerSlayer is an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California, formed in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King.

Damn right. What's that other lame (and slow) crap doing on this list?

Slayer are not speed metal. Thrash is different from speed metal. Speed metal is a higher version of power metal. - Metal_Treasure

Come on slayer metalheads. Where Are You? No.4? Megadeth is good so BUT slayer is Godfather Of speed & Thrash metal... Listen to (Angel of death. Raining blood. Snuff. hell awaits. War ensemble...) Dragon force is just FAST? Their songs deserve to play in Kindergartens. Think About IT Then Do your VOTE. R I P jeff hannemann

Most of these bands are not even Speed Metal, just thrash. But Slayer with pounding double bass drums, disturbing vocals and lyrics, and some of the best guitar work in metal are simply the musical superior of all other speed metal bands.

7MetallicaMetallica is an American Thrash Metal band formed in 1981 . The original lineup was James Hetfield (Vocalist and Rhythm guitarist), Dave Mustaine (Lead Guitar), Lars Ulrich (Drums), Ron McGovney (Bassist). The group came into mainstream from their Self-Titled album and the hit single "Enter Sandman". ...read more.

MetallicA are a legend. there are a very few bands like them who have made quality music consistently for almost thirty years. they have definitely composed some of the greatest solos and riffs. they are legendary. m/

No one in the world can do fight fire with fire as fast as Metallica

I know faster band and that band is Megadeth now that's the real speed metal.

Well, Are this guys Speed( I always thought so) thrash or just plain Heavy metal?

Is not speed metal, metalcore was in the beginning, then started to vary between its style to combine heavy metal with metalcore and finally, in their most recent albums is mostly hard rock and heavy metal.

Don't know why they're on a speed metal list, but what the hell I'll vote any way, 'because they are just that awesome.

9AcceptAccept is a German heavy metal band from the town of Solingen, originally assembled by former vocalist Udo Dirkschneider, guitarist Wolf Hoffmann and bassist Peter Baltes.

Why is Accept in 14th place!? Refer to "Fast As a Shark, " it'll blow your mind. It's a song that was released in 1982. It was the fastest up at that point, no one came close to it.

Accept and DragonForce are the only speed Metal bands in the top 10. (Maybe Gamma Ray) - Brobusky

Accept (one of the pioneers of speed metal) is in #14 because out of the current top 13 bands, only 4 are/were really speed metal bands. The rest are thrash or even death metal, metalcore, hard rock, fast Rock N Roll ... Laugh out loud. - Metal_Treasure

The Contenders

11Children of BodomChildren Of Bodom is a melodic death metal band from Espoo, Finland. Formed in 1993, the group currently consists of Alexi Laiho, Janne Wirman, Henkka Seppälä, Jaska Raatikainen and Daniel Freyberg.

A lot of people probably haven't listened to children of bodom. But they definitely should. All of their players have such amazing talent and have not only speed, but melody as well.

The great band and no competition with this band of any other band in this list. COB is the master of death metal just watch the video of angels don't kill live then you know how much this band deserves.

Children of Bodom for me are number 1! So many of their riffs have me thrashing my air guitar! For me no other band I've ever come across scream quite like cob! How can you beat "we're hate crew, we stand, and we won't fall"!

Ever heard of Melodic Death Metal? If not, this is it. Not a speed metal band.

12Judas PriestJudas Priest are a British heavy metal band formed in Birmingham, England, in 1969. The band has sold over 45 million albums to date.

Judas Priest and Motorhead are the first speed metal bands, and the only ones on this list, the others are thrash metal, but still they are all awesome. If you don't think Judas Priest are speed metal, listen to exciter and metal meltdown, they are fast.

It seems you don't know what speed metal is. Motorhead is pure hard rock, Judas priest are not speed metal, slayer are more trash than speed, megadeath is heavy-black metal, Halloween is metal (No one know what gender)...

13Deep PurpleDeep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical approach changed over the years. Originally formed as a progressive rock band, the band shifted to a heavier sound in 1970. Deep Purple, ...read more.

People that can't hear any metal in Deep Purple are deaf. Listen to the song Burn. If you don't hear any metal at all, you need a hearing aid.

The List Of Top Speed Metal Bands should always start with Deep Purple - the inventors of speed metal. They wrote the first speed metal songs (Hard Lovin' Man, 1970; Fireball, 1971; Highway Star, 1972). Robb Reiner of speed metal band Anvil called them 'early speed metal'. Fireball was the first metal song with double bass drumming but the real speed metal masterpiece was Highway Star.*** Highway Star is a metal definition: an entirely non-bluesy song which is based on Bach-like chord sequences. Later this non-bluesy sound became the most important feature of metal music - Rainbow, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden made it even more evident.*** Highway Star was very fast for the early 70s standards, with a memorable riff, breathtaking long & technical solo, Gillan's great vocals and that galloping style (later used by many speed metal bands and bands like Iron Maiden, Iced Earth). To a high degree metal in general was invented in the form of speed metal. - Metal_Treasure

They may have started it but dragonforce is the current best

I don't hear any Metal in Deep Purples sound. They shouldn't be on this list - ryanrimmel

15RainbowRainbow are a British rock band led by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 to 1984 and 1993 to 1997. They were originally established with Ronnie James Dio as the lead singer and lyricist. Rainbow were ranked No. 90 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. The band has sold over 28 million albums ...read more.

Mid 70s speed metal - genre defining songs: Kill The King, A Light In The Black, Death Alley Driver. The first two songs were covered by Metallica.

Rainbow helped to define and strengthen this baby genre (metal) in the mid 70s - credits to Ritchie Blackmore and Dio.

Listen to 'A Light In The Black' - it was the next step towards speed metal after 'Highway Star' by Deep Purple. This song is more technical and more intense - its awesome and fast instrumental section in the middle of the song is already 4 minutes long. Currently such extended and fast technical sections are very typical for speed metal songs. - Metal_Treasure

16Metal ChurchMetal Church is an American heavy metal band. They originally formed in San Francisco, California in 1980 before relocating to Aberdeen, Washington the following year and briefly using the name Shrapnel.

The best Metal Church albums are their self-debut Metal Church from 1985,The Dark and Blessing in Disguise along with their last album called XIcool way how they mantained the roots of Power abrasive sound.Metal Kings-Metal Church

17AnvilAnvil are a Canadian heavy metal band from Toronto, Ontario, formed in 1978. The band consists of Steve "Lips" Kudlow, Robb Reiner and Chris Robertson.

Anvil and Exciter were among the pioneers of speed metal in North America.Try Bushpig by Anvil - it's very fast and the drum intro is insane. - Metal_Treasure

18AnnihilatorAnnihilator is a Canadian thrash metal band founded in 1984 by vocalist, guitarist, bassist, songwriter, engineer, producer, mixer and mastering engineer Jeff Waters and former vocalist John Bates.

I'm a huge fan and I agree they are terribly underrated but they are NOT speed metal - they're technical thrash (and recently they sound more like prog metal with thrash elements). - Metal_Treasure

WHO THE HELL PUT IT HERE? IT doesn't DESERVE HERE, IT MUST BE HIGHER..